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Abstract:

Provided is an ice bank joint. The ice bank joint swiftly delivers
rotational force from a motor to a transferring shaft installed inside an
ice bank performing a function of transferring ice received inside the
ice bank. The ice bank joint includes a plate portion and a reinforcing
member. The plate portion has a driving part bent on at least one
position, and the reinforcing member has a support part protruding from a
position corresponding to the driving part to contact the driving part,
thereby reinforcing the plate portion.

Claims:

1. A refrigerator comprising:a storage room forming a low temperature
space;a door for selectively opening the storage room;an ice maker for
making ice in an inside of the storage room;an ice bank for storing ice
made by the ice maker, and performing an operation of moving the ice;
anda dispenser provided to the door to guide extraction of the ice inside
the ice bank to an outside, wherein the ice bank comprises:a bank for
storing the made ice;a motor for generating rotational force;a
transferring shaft installed inside the bank to transfer ice to the
dispenser using the rotational force; anda joint on a connection part of
the transferring shaft and the motor, and the joint comprises:a plate
portion connected to the transferring shaft to deliver force; andan
reinforcing member having at least a portion contacting the plate portion
to support the plate portion, and having lower strength than that of the
plate portion.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the plate portion is
manufactured by processing a thin plate.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the plate portion
comprises:a connection part on which the reinforcing member is disposed;
anda driving part bent from the connection part and plane-contacting with
a portion of the reinforcing member.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the driving part is
inserted into the reinforcing member.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the plate portion is
formed of metal, and the reinforcing member is formed of plastic.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the plate portion
directly receives rotational force from a motor shaft.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of
the plate portion is seated in and supported by a groove formed in the
reinforcing member.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the plate portion is
connected with the reinforcing member through one of inmold or insert
molding.

9. An ice bank comprising:a bank for storing ice;a transferring shaft
mounted inside the bank to transfer the ice;a motor mounted on one side
of the bank to generate rotational force; anda joint on a connection part
of the motor and the transferring shaft, wherein the joint comprises:a
plate portion contacting the motor to receive rotational force; anda
reinforcing member for supporting the plate portion to reinforce strength
of the plate portion.

10. The ice bank according to claim 9, wherein the plate portion is fit
into the reinforcing member.

11. The ice bank according to claim 9, wherein the plate portion is formed
of metal, and the reinforcing member is formed of plastic.

12. The ice bank according to claim 9, wherein the plate portion is
manufactured by processing a thin plate.

13. The ice bank according to claim 9, wherein the reinforcing member has
an about rim shape, and comprises a support part protruding to an inside
of the rim shape, and a hole into which the plate portion is inserted and
the hole is formed in a position adjacent to the support part.

14. The ice bank according to claim 13, wherein the hole is formed in a
straight line shape.

15. The ice bank according to claim 9, wherein a portion of a motor shaft
coupled to the motor, extends to an outside only partially to contact the
plate portion, delivering rotational force to the plate portion.

16. An ice bank joint for swiftly delivering rotational force from a motor
to a transferring shaft installed inside an ice bank in the ice bank
performing a function of transferring ice received inside the ice bank,
the ice bank joint comprising:a plate portion manufactured in a plate;
anda reinforcing member for supporting the plate portion to reinforce
strength of the plate portion.

17. The ice bank joint according to claim 16, wherein a shaft hole is
formed in at least one of the plate portion and the reinforcing member,
so that the transferring shaft is connected to the shaft hole.

18. The ice bank joint according to claim 16, wherein the plate portion is
connected to the motor and the transferring shaft.

19. The ice bank joint according to claim 16, wherein the plate portion is
formed of stainless, and the reinforcing member is formed of plastic.

20. The ice bank joint according to claim 16, further comprising:a support
part protruding from the reinforcing member; anda driving part formed at
the plate portion to contact the support part.

21. The ice bank joint according to claim 20, wherein the driving part
passes through and is supported by the reinforcing member.

22. The ice bank joint according to claim 16, wherein the plate portion
has a thickness of 1.5 mm or less.

23. An ice bank joint for swiftly delivering rotational force from a motor
to a transferring shaft installed inside an ice bank in the ice bank
performing a function of transferring ice received inside the ice bank,
the ice bank joint comprising:a plate portion having a driving part bent
on at least one position; anda reinforcing member having a support part
protruding from a position corresponding to the driving part to contact
the driving part, thereby reinforcing the plate portion.

24. The ice bank joint according to claim 23, wherein the driving part
contacts a motor shaft through which rotational force of the motor is
delivered to receive the rotational force, and the transferring shaft is
connected to a center of the plate portion.

25. The ice bank joint according to claim 23, wherein the reinforcing
member has an about rim shape, and the support part is formed on an inner
surface of the reinforcing member.

26. An ice bank joint for swiftly delivering rotational force from a motor
to a transferring shaft installed inside an ice bank in the ice bank
performing a function of transferring ice received inside the ice bank,
the ice bank joint comprising:a plate portion as a plate member,
connected to the motor and the transferring shaft to deliver rotational
force; anda reinforcing member having at least a portion contacting the
plate portion to reinforce the plate portion, the plate portion and the
reinforcing member plane-contacting each other.

27. The ice bank joint according to claim 26, wherein a portion where the
plate portion and the reinforcing member plane-contact each other is a
portion where the plate portion receives rotational force of the motor.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001]The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and, to an ice
bank for storing and Transferring ice, and a joint for use in a driving
unit of the ice bank.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002]An ice maker is an apparatus for making ice in an appropriate size
and discharging the ice by a required amount when a user needs the ice.
An ice bank is a unit of elements forming the ice maker, for receiving
made ice, and discharging an appropriated amount of the received ice.
Also, depending on cases, only a portion for directly freezing water to
make ice may be called an ice maker, a portion for storing the made ice
may be called an ice bank, and a portion for discharging an appropriate
amount of the stored ice to the outside may be called a dispenser.

[0003]There are various ice makers. Among them, an ice maker annexed to a
refrigerator is disclosed in Korea Patent Publication No. 2005-0056484.
This document discloses an entire system of the ice maker applied to the
refrigerator. This type of ice maker is annexed to a refrigerator to
satisfy a reasonable demand at low price, so that convenience in
utilizing the ice maker increases.

[0004]A related art driving unit of an ice bank is described in more
detail. The related art driving unit of the ice bank includes a motor and
a motor shaft for providing driving force, and a rotation shaft for
transferring ice in the inside of the ice bank. Also, the driving unit
includes a joint as a portion for connecting the motor shaft and the
rotation shaft with each other. The joint serves as a portion allowing
driving force of the motor to be swiftly delivered to the rotation shaft.

[0005]The joint includes a body and a driving unit protruding to an inside
from the body and at which the motor shaft is hooked. The body and the
driving unit are integrally formed. Here, the body and the driving unit
are connected to the motor shaft and is formed by sintered monolith
stainless steel to secure sufficient strength against rotational force
provided by the motor. This has been indispensably required to allow the
joint to endure such sufficient strength as to crack clustered ice
depending on the clustering state of the ice that has been broken into
pieces in the inside of the ice bank.

[0006]Also, the body and the outer surface of the driving unit are plated
with Ni--P to prevent the body and the driving unit from being corroded
by water.

[0007]However, the above-described joint is formed by sintered monolith
stainless steel and thus is heavy. Also, since the outer surface of the
joint should be plated with Ni--P, processibility reduces and corrosion
occurs when the plating is exfoliated.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

[0008]Embodiments provide an ice bank joint, an ice bank, and a
refrigerator that can be manufactured in lightweight while maintaining
strength. Embodiments also provide an ice bank joint, an ice bank, and a
refrigerator that can be simply assembled to improve processibility and
productivity. Embodiments also provide an ice bank joint, an ice bank,
and a refrigerator that can improve corrosion caused by exfoliation of
plating. Embodiments also provide an ice bank joint, an ice bank, and a
refrigerator that can reduce a unit price of a product. Embodiments also
provide an ice bank joint, an ice bank, and a refrigerator that can
improve processibility of parts using the ice bank joint, improve heavy
weight and corrosion, and reduce a unit price of a product.

Technical Solution

[0009]In one embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a storage room forming a
low temperature space; a door for selectively opening the storage room;
an ice maker for making ice in an inside of the storage room; an ice bank
for storing ice made by the ice maker, and performing an operation of
moving the ice; and a dispenser provided to the door to guide extraction
of the ice inside the ice bank to an outside, wherein the ice bank
includes: a bank for storing the made ice; a motor for generating
rotational force; a transferring shaft installed inside the bank to
transferring ice to the dispenser using the rotational force; and a joint
on a connection part of the transferring shaft and the motor, and the
joint includes: a plate portion connected to the transferring shaft to
deliver force; and an reinforcing member having at least a portion
contacting the plate portion to support the plate portion, and having
lower strength than that of the plate portion.

[0010]In another embodiment, an ice bank includes: a bank for storing ice;
a transferring shaft mounted inside the bank to transfer the ice; a motor
mounted on one side of the bank to generate rotational force; and a joint
on a connection part of the motor and the transferring shaft, wherein the
joint includes: a plate portion contacting the motor to receive
rotational force; and a reinforcing member for supporting the plate
portion to reinforce strength of the plate portion.

[0011]In further another embodiment, an ice bank joint for swiftly
delivering rotational force from a motor to a transferring shaft
installed inside an ice bank in the ice bank performing a function of
transferring ice received inside the ice bank, the ice bank joint
includes: a plate portion manufactured in a plate; and a reinforcing
member for supporting the plate portion to reinforce strength of the
plate portion.

[0012]In still further another embodiment, an ice bank joint for swiftly
delivering rotational force from a motor to a transferring shaft
installed inside an ice bank in the ice bank performing a function of
transferring ice received inside the ice bank, the ice bank joint
includes: a plate portion having a driving part bent on at least one
position; and a reinforcing member having a support part protruding from
a position corresponding to the driving part to contact the driving part,
thereby reinforcing the plate portion.

[0013]In still yet another embodiment, an ice bank joint for swiftly
delivering rotational force from a motor to a transferring shaft
installed inside an ice bank in the ice bank performing a function of
transferring ice received inside the ice bank, the ice bank joint
includes: a plate portion as a plate member, connected to the motor and
the transferring shaft to deliver rotational force; and a reinforcing
member having at least a portion contacting the plate portion to
reinforce the plate portion, the plate portion and the reinforcing member
plane-contacting each other.

Advantageous Effects

[0014]According to the present disclosure, a refrigerator can be
manufactured in lightweight while maintaining strength, and a joint can
be used through simple assembly, so that processibility can improve.
Also, since a metal surface reduces, corrosion caused by exfoliation of
plating can improve, and a unit price of a product can be reduced in
comparison with using sintered metal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an example of a refrigerator according
to an embodiment.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example of an ice bank according to
an embodiment.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a connection relation of a joint
provided to an ice bank according to an embodiment.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an example of a joint provided to an
ice bank according to an embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0019]Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the
present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.

[0020]FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an example of a refrigerator according
to an embodiment.

[0021]Referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerator includes a freezing chamber
forming a low temperature space and a door for selectively opening the
freezing chamber. Also, the refrigerator includes an ice maker 100, an
ice bank 200, and a dispenser 300, as an equipment for making ice. In an
embodiment, the ice maker 200 is installed on one side of the storage
room of the refrigerator to make ice. The ice bank 200 is installed below
the ice maker 100 to store a large amount of ice frozen and separated
from the ice maker 100. The stored ice is extracted to the outside
through the dispenser 300 in the door. The dispenser 300 is connected to
the ice bank 200 to allow ice transferred and extracted by the ice bank
200 to be extracted to the outside of the refrigerator through the
dispenser 300.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example of an ice bank according to
an embodiment.

[0023]Referring to FIG. 2, the ice bank 200 includes a bank 210, a
transferring shaft 220, a motor shaft 235, a motor 230, and a joint 400.

[0024]The bank 210 stores ice. In an embodiment, the bank 210 stores ice
moved from the ice maker 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0025]The transferring shaft 220 is provided inside the bank 210 to
transfer ice stored in the bank 210. In an embodiment, the transferring
shaft 220 is formed in a spiral shape to transfer the ice stored in the
bank 210 along a shaft direction of the transferring shaft 220 using
rotation of its own, and allow the ice to be extracted to the dispenser
300.

[0026]The joint 400 is an element for connecting the motor shaft 235 with
the transferring shaft 220 to swiftly deliver rotational force between
the motor shaft 235 and the transferring shaft 220. Force delivered
through the joint 400 changes depending on the size and clustering degree
of ice inside the bank 210. Particularly, it is required that rotational
force is reliably delivered when the transferring shaft 220 overcomes
static friction force so as to continue to rotate at an initial stage
upon starting of rotation.

[0027]FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an example of a transferring shaft, a
joint, a motor shaft, and a motor provided to an ice bank according to an
embodiment.

[0028]Referring to FIG. 3, rotational force through the motor shaft 235 is
delivered to the transferring shaft 220. At this point, the joint 400 is
a portion where the motor shaft 235 and the transferring shaft 220 are
connected to each other for swift delivery of rotational force. In an
embodiment, the motor 230 and the motor shaft 235 are rotatably connected
to the transferring shaft 220 provided inside the bank 210 through the
joint 400. Here, the motor 230 is installed on one side of the bank 210
to provide rotational force, and the motor shaft 235 extends from the
motor 230 to deliver rotational force provided by the motor 230 to the
transferring shaft 220 through the joint 400.

[0029]In an embodiment, the motor shaft 235 is connected to the joint 400,
and at least a portion of the motor shaft 235 is formed in a hook shape
to deliver rotational force to the transferring shaft 220. In other
words, at least a point of the motor shaft 235 extends further to the
outer side from the center and then is bent and extends toward the
transferring shaft 220. Also, at least a portion of the extended portion
is hooked at the joint 400 to allow power to be swiftly delivered.

[0030]The joint 400 is located between the transferring shaft 220 and the
motor shaft 235 to connect the transferring shaft 220 and the motor shaft
235, thereby delivering rotational force. In an embodiment, the joint 400
includes a plate portion 420 and a reinforcing member 440. The plate
portion 420 delivers rotational force provided by the motor shaft 235 and
the motor 230 to the transferring shaft 220, and is mounted to the
reinforcing member 440 to receive support force.

[0031]In detail, the plate portion 420 includes a driving part 422
receiving rotational force from the motor shaft 235, and a connection
part 424 including a shaft hole h into which the transferring shaft 220
is fit to deliver rotational force to the transferring shaft 220. Also,
the reinforcing member 440 includes a rim-shaped body 446, a support
portion 442 formed to contact the driving part 422 to provide support
force to the driving part 422, a hole 444 located at the support portion
442 and into which the driving part 422 is fit, and a groove (refer to
448 of FIG. 4) in which the connection part 424 is seated. In an
embodiment, the motor shaft 235 is located at the reinforcing member 440
and rotates with the driving part 422 of the plate portion 420 to deliver
rotational force to the transferring shaft 220.

[0032]Next, an example of the joint 400 for the ice bank 200 will be
described in detail according to an embodiment.

[0033]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view according to the present
disclosure.

[0034]Referring to FIG. 4, a plate portion 420 includes a connection part
424 having an about quadrangular plate shape, and driving parts 422
extending at both sides of the connection part 424 facing each other to
cross the connection part 424. At this point, the plate portion 420 is
connected with a motor shaft 235 to receive rotational force, and
delivers the rotational force to a transferring shaft 220. The plate
portion 420 is formed of plate-shaped stainless steel to provide so
sufficient strength as to prevent destruction and reduce manufacturing
costs while swiftly delivering power. Also, in an embodiment, the driving
parts 422 are formed by bending both sides extending from the connection
part 424. To secure such processibility, the driving parts 422 may have a
predetermined thickness (for example, 1.5 mm) or less.

[0035]In an embodiment, a reinforcing member 440 includes a body 446
formed in a circular shape on the whole. The reinforcing member 440 is
formed in a rim shape having a cross-section of an `L` shape. Also, the
reinforcing member 440 includes a straight line shaped hole 444 into
which the driving part 422 of the plate portion 420 is fit, so that the
driving part 422 is fit into the hole 444. Also, a support portion 442
for supporting the driving part 422 at a position where the driving part
422 is fit, forms a wall in the inside of the reinforcing member 440.
Accordingly, warping or deformation of the driving part 422 due to force
(for example, 260 kgf) given to the plate portion 420 by the motor shaft
235 while the plate portion 420 rotates, can be prevented. Also, in an
embodiment, the reinforcing member 440 includes a groove 448 into which
the connection part 424 of the plate portion 420 is fit. This is for
improving coupling force between the plate portion 420 connected to the
motor shaft 235 and the transferring shaft 220, and the reinforcing
member 440, when the plate portion 420 is fit to and seated on the rear
side of the reinforcing member 440.

[0036]In an embodiment, the reinforcing member 440 is formed of plastic
having lower strength than that of the plate portion to reduce
manufacturing costs, reduce the entire weight of the joint 400, and
prevent corrosion. However, since the reinforcing member 440 can be
provided in a relatively large size in an aspect of material
characteristic, strength of the reinforcing member 440 can be easily
reinforced.

[0037]Since the joint 400 includes the plate portion 420 and the
reinforcing member 440, a fact that strength of the joint 400 is weak
when only the reinforcing member 440 is used, and a fact that deformation
of warping of the plate portion 420 may occur can be complemented
respectively, so that sufficient strength can be provided against strong
rotational force of the motor 230. In other words, the motor shaft 235
delivers force to the reinforcing member 440 through the driving parts
422 without directly contacting the reinforcing member 440. Therefore,
the entire surface of the driving parts 422 contacts the reinforcing
member 440, and consequently, uniform force is applied to the reinforcing
member 440, particularly, to the entire surface of the support parts 442,
so that force can be stably delivered.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

[0038]Though a preferred embodiment has been proposed according to a best
embodiment, the present disclosure further includes following another
embodiment.

[0039]First, though the driving part 422 and the support portion 442
correspond to each other according to the preferred embodiment, they are
not limited thereto, but the sprit of the present disclosure is
maintained even when the shape changes. For example, even when the
driving part 422 is formed a little small for reduction of material
costs, a purpose of complementing the deformation of the plate portion
and the strength of the reinforcing member can be sufficiently achieved
as long as the motor shaft 235 contacts the driving parts 422.

[0040]Second, though a preferred embodiment proposes that the two driving
parts 422 and the support portions 442 are provided to locations,
respectively, corresponding to each other, the present disclosure is not
limited thereto, but one, three, or more driving parts 422 and support
portions 442 can be provided with equal intervals. It is noted that when
the two driving parts 422 and the support portions 442 are provided with
equal intervals, a swift rotational motion can be performed through
equilibrium of couple forces. Further, in the case where the size of the
joint is small, the number of joints can be increased to stably deliver
rotational force.

[0041]Third, though a preferred embodiment proposes that the driving part
and the support portion are quadrangular, the present disclosure is not
limited thereto, but they can be provided in a circular shape or a
different similar shape as long as force can be reliably delivered.

[0042]Fourth, though a preferred embodiment proposes that the motor shaft
contacts the plate portion, the present disclosure is not limited
thereto, but the motor shaft may contact the reinforcing member to
deliver force in the case where plane contact relation between the motor
shaft and the reinforcing member is clearly established. However, it is
more preferable that the motor shaft contacts the plate portion, for
reliably force delivery, convenience in manufacturing, and friction
prevention.

[0043]Fifth, though a preferred embodiment proposes that the shaft hole is
formed in the plate portion, the shaft hole can be formed in the
reinforcing member as long as reasonable strength can be secured to the
reinforcing member. However, power can be more swiftly delivered by
forming the shaft hole in the plate portion made of metal, of course.
Depending on cases, the same shaft holes can be formed in both the plate
portion and the reinforcing member, respectively, to achieve more
reliable operation.

[0044]Sixth, though a preferred embodiment proposes that the plate portion
is fit in the reinforcing member, the present disclosure is not limited
thereto, but the plate portion and the reinforcing member can be
connected to each other using inmold or insert molding. In this case, a
separate molding process for the reinforcing member is not required, so
that a process is shortened.

[0045]Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number
of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that
numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those
skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the
principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and
modifications are possible by addition, modification, and deletion of
component parts within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the
appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0046]The present disclosure can be manufactured in lightweight while
maintaining reasonable strength, and allow a joint to be used through a
simple assembly process to improve processibility. Also, according to the
present disclosure, a metal surface reduces, so that corrosion due to
exfoliation of plating can be prevented, and manufacturing costs can be
reduced in comparison with using sintered metal.

Patent applications by Seong-Wook Kim, Gyeongsangnam-Do KR

Patent applications by LG ELECTRONICS INC.

Patent applications in class With product receiving and storing means

Patent applications in all subclasses With product receiving and storing means